Hints on Flower Gardens 251 



This arranging plants in patches or masses, each composed 

 of the same species, also contributes to do away in a great 

 degree with the second fault which we have alluded to as a 

 grievous one in most of our flower gardens - - that of the 

 exhibition of bare surface of soil - - parts of beds not cov- 

 ered by foliage and flowers. 



In a hot climate, like that of our summers, nothing is more 

 unpleasing to the eyes or more destructive to that expres- 

 sion of softness, verdure, and gayety, that should exist in 

 the flower garden, than to behold the surface of the soil in 

 any of the beds or parterres unclothed with plants. The 

 dryness and parched appearance of such portions goes far to 

 impair whatever air of freshness and beauty may be im- 

 parted by the flowers themselves. Now whenever beds 

 are planted with a heterogeneous mixture of plants, tall 

 and short, spreading and straggling, it is nearly impossible 

 that considerable parts of the surface of the soil should not 

 be visible. On the contrary, where species and varieties 

 of plants, chosen for their excellent habits of growth and 

 flowering, are planted in masses, almost every part of the 

 surface of the beds may be hidden from the eye, which we 

 consider almost a sine qua non in all good flower gardens. 



Following out this principle - - on the whole perhaps the 

 most important in all flower gardens in this country - - that 

 there should, if possible, be no bare surface soil visible, our 

 own taste leads us to prefer the modern English style of 

 laying out flower gardens upon a groundwork of grass or 

 turf, kept scrupulously short. Its advantage over a flower 

 garden composed only of beds with a narrow edging and 

 gravel walks, consists in the greater softness, freshness and 

 verdure of the green turf, which serves as a setting to the 

 flower beds, and heightens the brilliancy of the flowers 

 themselves. Still, both these modes have their merits, and 

 each is best adapted to certain situations, and harmonizes 

 best with its appropriate scenery. 



There are two other defects in many of our flower gardens, 

 easily remedied, and about which we must say a word or 

 two in passing. 



